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Grapes Agat Donskoy – one of the most common types of table culture. It is valued for its undemanding to climatic conditions and increased resistance to diseases and frost. This allows you to grow this heat-loving crop even in the northern regions and get a high yield, which is confirmed by numerous reviews of gardeners. However, to achieve maximum performance of the variety, you must follow some rules for planting and further care.
Grape varieties Agat Donskoy used to be called Vityaz
History of occurrence
Agate Donskoy is a hybrid form of culture. Employees of the All- Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking named after V.I. Ya. I. Potapenko, who is located in the city of Novocherkassk. At the initial stage of breeding, the Zarya Severa and Dolores varieties became the basis for the hybrid, and later the resulting seedling was re-crossed with Early. This made it possible to obtain a species with increased resistance to adverse external factors and high stable yields.
The application for inclusion of Agatha Donskoy in the State Register was filed in 1987. And the variety tests carried out showed its compliance with the characteristics. As a result, the grape was officially registered in 1992.
Description of the grape variety Agat Donskoy
Agat Donskoy grapes are distinguished by vigorous bushes, reaching a height of 1,5-1,7 m and having a sprawling shape. The number of fruit-bearing shoots is 75-80%, which ensures a high yield of the hybrid. But Agate Donskoy also has other characteristic differences, which distinguishes it from other varieties.
bunches
This hybrid has medium sized conical bunches. The weight of each varies between 400-600 g. On adult bushes, with proper care, their weight can reach up to 1 kg. The density of the brushes is moderate or loose. Their length reaches 15-18 cm, and their diameter is 10 cm.
Berries
The hybrid has large rounded berries. When ripe, they acquire a dark blue color. The diameter of the berries is 2,2-2,4 cm, and the weight is about 4-6 g. The fruits are not closely located in the bunch, which eliminates the possibility of damage during development and ripening. Their surface is covered with a protective wax coating. Each berry has 1-2 large seeds, which are felt when eating fruits. The pulp is dense, crispy, fleshy.
The skin of the berries of the Agat Donskoy hybrid is dense, but not rough.
Vine
Grapes Agat Donskoy annually forms a few young shoots, but they are characterized by a rapid growth rate. The ripening of the stems is good – more than 2/3 of the total length. Young growing pagons are slightly pubescent. After maturation, the shade of the vine changes from light green to brown. The color of the nodes is more intense.
Leaves are medium to large. The plates are dark green, five-lobed with upward curving edges. The leaves of Agatha Donskoy are finely serrated, and on the reverse side there is a slight pubescence. Leaf petioles are shorter than the central vein. At the base, they have an anthocyanin tint.
Characteristics of the grapes Agat Donskoy
For the successful cultivation of this grape variety, its main characteristics must be taken into account. This will ensure complete care for the crop and achieve maximum yield.
The ripening period of grapes Agat Donskoy
In terms of maturation, Agat Donskoy belongs to the category of early-middle species. Brushes ripen in 115-120 days from the moment of bud break. Harvesting can start from the second half of August.
Productivity
Agat Donskoy grapes begin to bear fruit in the fourth year after planting. The yield of an adult bush is 50 kg. The vine can be heavily overloaded, as it forms three brushes on each shoot. Therefore, the variety needs to normalize the load, otherwise the size of the fruits decreases and their marketability decreases.
The crop is suitable for long-term storage. To do this, it is recommended to remove the brushes at the stage of technical maturity. The crop retains its marketability for 2-3 months in a cool dark room.
Palatability
Variety Agat Donskoy is characterized by a moderate sweetness of fruits and a weak aroma. Its tasting score is 3,8 points out of a possible five. In the case of a cool rainy summer, the fruits become sour.
The sugar content in berries reaches 15%
Growing regions
This grape is recommended for cultivation in the Ural and North Caucasus regions. But since the variety showed resistance to harsh climatic conditions, it spread to the south of Siberia and most of the Non-Chernozem zone.
Frost resistance
Agate Donskoy is characterized by low susceptibility to low temperatures. Its shoots and flower buds do not suffer from frosts down to -26 ° C. Therefore, in regions where winter temperatures do not fall below this level, it is possible to grow grapes without shelter. And in other areas, bushes should be insulated and bent to the ground.
Drought tolerance
Variety Agate Donskoy is also distinguished by drought resistance. Watering for the plant is important only at the initial stage of growth, until the seedling takes root. Adult bushes need to be moistened only with a long absence of rain.
Disease and pest resistance
Variety Agat Donskoy can be grown with a minimum number of treatments for fungal diseases. After all, this grape is resistant to gray rot and downy mildew. But, in order to prevent its defeat by oidium, one must not neglect preventive treatments with fungicides twice a season.
Agate Donskoy is susceptible to attack by wasps when cracking berries. Therefore, it is necessary to apply protective measures to preserve the brushes.
Methods of Use
The harvested crop is suitable for fresh consumption and preparation of compotes, jams, marmalades. Many gardeners note that the harvest can also be used to make wine. Moreover, the taste of the drink resembles Isabella.
Suitable grapes for freezing. In this case, the berries retain their taste and texture, and the skin does not burst.
Advantages and disadvantages
This hybrid has a number of advantages, which distinguishes it from other types of culture. But it also has certain disadvantages that you need to pay attention to.
Agate Donskoy is easily propagated by layering and green cuttings.
Main advantages:
- undemanding to care;
- high stable yield;
- increased resistance to gray rot, downy mildew;
- frost resistance;
- good maturity of shoots;
- precocity;
- versatility of application;
- excellent keeping quality of fruits.
Disadvantages:
- susceptibility to attack by wasps;
- low sugar accumulation in berries;
- needs load regulation.
Planting grapes Agat Donskoy
For planting this grape, it is recommended to choose sunny open areas protected from drafts. At the same time, Agat Donskoy is undemanding to the composition of the soil. The main thing is that the soil has good aeration and neutral acidity. The groundwater level on the site must be at least 1,5 m.
Planting is recommended in the spring so that the seedlings can get stronger before winter. Bushes need to be placed on the site, taking into account the fact that everyone needs about 5 square meters. m of area for good nutrition and development.
Care instructions
Young seedlings should be watered regularly until they take root as the topsoil dries out. Subsequently, irrigation should be carried out 1-2 times a month. Adult grape bushes are recommended to be watered three times a season: before bud break, before flowering and in autumn.
It is necessary to feed hybrid seedlings during the period of active growth of green mass with organic matter with a break of two weeks. In the future, superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (30 g) per bucket should be used. It is advisable to fertilize the bushes once a month.
This type of grape needs regular pruning. Annually in the spring, shoots should be shortened to 5-8 buds. With the beginning of the growing season, the plant should be cleaned from weak and barren branches. And during flowering, you need to additionally thin out the bush, leaving no more than 1-2 brushes on the shoots.
Permissible load 35-45 eyes for an adult bush
Conclusion
Grapes Agate Donskoy belongs to the category of varieties that do not need increased attention from gardeners. But in terms of taste properties, it is significantly inferior to other types of culture. Therefore, it cannot compete with them.
Reviews of grapes Agat Donskoy
